Events

Our trusted Chef's Cycle Team, Sack Lunch PDX has been training hard through this unpredictable winter weather. Rain or shine, mostly rain, they've been putting on the miles in an effort to reach their goal of $55K by May 1st for Share Our Strength benefitting No Kid Hungry. Hopefully the team will have PLENTY of sunshine to make their 300 mile journey over three days in May in Santa Rosa, California.

To move the needle even further we invite you to join us for a beautiful Spring Lamb Feast Hosted by our own Jason French & featuring the talents of Portland’s own Sack Lunch PDX chef Team!

While the weather warms and the sun peeks out, the culinary and beverage talent on the team decided to celebrate Spring with a seasonal favorite! Each course will express the depth of flavor and texture lamb offers, from offal to cheese! We will offer a five course plated dinner featuring cocktails, beer and wine.

Limited seats available. All proceeds go to the 55K pledge the team has made in their efforts to end childhood hunger in America.

The easiest way to reach anyone these days is to tap out a quick text, but in the spirit slowing things waaay down we want to challenge you – and ourselves! – to write a letter. For the month of April, Ned Ludd is partnering with Eggpress for Write_On, a campaign to promote creative expression through handwritten correspondence. This is our third year participating in the program and we love supporting an endeavor that takes hand-crafting as seriously as we do.

When you visit us at Ned Ludd in April, we will offer you a complimentary Write_On card. Reach out to an old friend, surprise a loved with a quick note… whatever it may be, we’re pretty convinced receiving a real letter in the mailbox is a thrill. Making that connection is something we’d love to facilitate through the Write_On campaign. If you find your stuck on what to write, we’ll offer some writing prompts to get your creativity flowing. We’ll even stamp it for you and drop it in the mail box!

Can’t wait to see you here for an inspired spring menu and a chance to help you connect with someone in a meaningful way.

To celebrate Portland Dining Month in the spirit of getting out and gathering together, we're opening the doors to Elder Hall , Gathering Space to Ned Ludd for a first ever “Happy Hour” on select Friday and Saturdays- March 3 & 4 and March 10 & 11, and on special TBA dates during the week 5-8pm. We’ll have drink specials, yummy snacks, and chill lounging vibes. It’s the perfect opportunity for an impromptu meet-up with friends or having drinks and conversation before heading over to Ned Ludd for dinner.

It’s time to shake off all the rain (and leftover snowflakes!) by getting out in March for Portland Dining Month. What a great time to take a break from your kitchen and let us cook for you. This year we're excited to offer a best-of-the-season three course meal for $29.

Here’s what’s on the menu:

First Course:Cabbage salad with cashews, carrot and a turmeric dressing

To kick off Portland Dining Month in the spirit of getting out and gathering together, we're opening the doors to Elder Hall for a first ever “Happy Hour” on select Friday and Saturdays- March 3 & 4 and March 10 & 11, and on special TBA dates during the week 4-8pm. We’ll have drink specials, yummy snacks, and chill lounging vibes. It’s the perfect opportunity for an impromptu meet-up with friends or having drinks and conversation before heading over to Ned Ludd for dinner.

Join our very own Jason French (Ned Ludd & Elder Hall) and our good friend Chris Dimino (Jack Rabbit Portland, formerly Chris King) as they peddle for charity alongside 10 other chefs and friends in the Portland Food Community. Our newly formed TEAM SACK LUNCH PDX will be working hard to raise $55,000 for Chefs Cycle and No Kid Hungry. We kick off the fundraising:

When // Saturday February 4th 5-8:30PMWhere // Plaza Del Toro // 105 SE Taylor St. Portland, OR 97214What // A Bike Ho-Down plus Eats & DrinksTickets // $10 at the doorRaffle // $20 per ticket for a chance to win a ONE OF A KIND CIELO BASE RACER and other rad items from Lardo and StumptownMusic // DJ Bonics

Every last dime of Proceeds goes towards our efforts to raise money for our Chef Cycle team for Share Our Strength + No Kid Hungry. Follow along as we ride 300 miles in 3 days Santa Rosa May 16-18th alongside our culinary community from around the nation fighting hunger outside the kitchen.

Food will be prepared by // Toro Bravo, Lardo, Jackrabbit, Boccalone, Ned Ludd and Urban Farmer. All chefs, including our newest Portland neighbor, Chris Cosentino, will be on hand nerding on bikes, cooking up a storm & raising money for the cause!

You can’t always explain why two people come together – destiny, kismet, dumb luck. But whatever the reason, the outcome can be straight up magic. Our recent collaboration with badass apron maker Hedley & Bennett is proof of that magical connection. But before we get into how Ned Ludd became a member of the Apron Squad, we’ll tell you a story of our first fateful collaboration.

Ned Ludd Chef-Owner Jason French and creative mastermind Michelle Battista combined their talents personally and then professionally when they opened the gathering space, Elder Hall in 2014. Born out of their shared desire to create community through the pleasures of food and wine, the Hall has been a space for guests to gather, celebrate, and even learn something new while breaking bread around the table.

Michelle spent years in design and brand consulting, but knew that food was where she belonged. Food was a new frontier she felt she just had to explore. Then she met Jason and this whole other world opened up for both of them. Jason soon realized he wanted to take his experience as a chef and grow into other creative ventures. “We wondered how should we take all of this magic – our strengths, our creativity – and really weave a fabric together to create something truly special for people to touch, smell, taste and experience,” explains Jason. It wasn’t easy, but their diligent focus on a shared vision allowed life, love and business fall into place.

Michelle and Jason have been able to mesh their differing styles – she loves white, clean, unfussy minimalism while he loves color and old-fashioned rustic charm – into an aesthetic at Ned Ludd and Elder Hall, drawing inspiration from the hand crafted, clean, and highly functional design of the Shakers. Where Ned Ludd is festooned with nicknacks and relics of another time, Elder Hall evokes clean lines and minimalism, with just enough decor to transport patrons to a place and time of comfort and community.

Our Hedley & Bennett apron is an extension of how the two approach design together – giving a nod to tradition while feeling thoroughly modern. Both share a love affair with stripes so it was only natural to choose a dark indigo railroad stripe pattern for the body. A navy blue strap ties the waist while gold pops the collar and the iconic HxB ampersand mark. The apron has all the functionality and durability to do the hard work of life in a restaurant and gathering hall, while the fabric, straps and pockets express a feeling of fun and individuality.

We love Hedley & Bennett’s irreverent spirit and jumped at the chance to create something together when the opportunity came up. Michelle felt drawn to Ellen, aka The Apron Lady, just like she was drawn to the world of food. We loved what they cooked up together and feel proud to be a part of creative community that shares beauty, conviviality, and comfort in the kitchen and beyond. Get your own Ned Ludd apron HERE.

PORTLAND SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY THRU WINTER WEATHER

As you all know small business is the economic engine for the City of Portland. When our small businesses face challenges it has long lasting reach and impact on our great City.

This 2016-17 Winter Weather has had a significantly negative impact on our small business community. This lack of economic activity drains tax base and curtails further spending with all businesses that provide materials to those businesses, from food vendors and marketing professionals to professional printers and bookkeepers. Even if businesses are able to open their doors, employees are losing hours from inability to get to work to not enough business to justify their attendance.

We’ve organized along with a number of small businesses across industries, from retail and restaurant to service businesses to offer 10% discounts on gift certificate purchases made thru January 25th, 2017. It is our hope that the greater Portland Community, who has always been a great lover and supporter of their small business community, enjoys the opportunity to save a little at some of their favorite businesses, while lending a huge support to Portland’s businesses and economy!

Please check with individual businesses as these discounted gift certificates may not be available for use in conjunction with other offers, coupons and discounts.

AND this is just a small list of the amazing list of Portland’s small businesses. Please be sure to celebrate and support all the businesses you can this month and always!

Sometimes messing with a classic is a risky move, but we’re pretty confident that our take on the beloved chocolate chip cookie will please even the pickiest chocolate chip lover. It’s not any harder to prep and bake than a regular chocolate chip cookie. And we’ll dare to say this skillet version is more fun to eat, especially when shared. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you if there’s stiff competition for the last chocolate-y bite.

Ned Ludd's Super Secret, Almost Famous Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

Makes one 10-inch cookie*

1 cup plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

½ tsp baking soda

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

½ cup white sugar

½ cup dark brown sugar

1 large egg

¼ tsp salt

1½ tsp vanilla extract

1 cup 75-percent-cacao dark chocolate wafers**

Flake salt for finishing

10-inch cast-iron skillet

MAKE THE DOUGH: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl whisk together flour and baking soda, and set aside. In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until well combined, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the egg, salt, and vanilla extract, and continue beating until combined. Add flour-soda combo and mix until just incorporated. Using a spatula, fold in chocolate wafers.

BAKE THE COOKIE: Flatten the dough inside a 10-inch skillet. Bake for around 30 minutes, or until the center is just set. To simulate Ned Ludd’s blackened, bitter crust, turn the broiler on and cook a minute or two longer, taking care not to burn the top completely. Remove from oven and sprinkle with flake salt. Serve with a small glass of milk, or pour milk right over the top while the cookie’s still hot and watch it sizzle.

*Cookie dough recipe adapted from Joy of Cooking

**Larger and flatter than chocolate chips, high- quality chocolate wafers or “pistoles” (try Valrhona or Guittard brands) yield a velvety, “meltier” texture when baked. Wafers can be found at World Foods, Sheridan Fruit Company, and some supermarkets.

***DISCLAIMER : This cookie stays piping hot in the cast iron so let it cool and pour the cold milk over it or you will burn the crap out of your mouth. Trust me we've all done it to ourselves at least twice.

For many, the New Year begins with resolutions that set the intentions for growth, change and evolution. Our little wood fired restaurant is no exception. The coming year is going to be an amazing year for all of us. We’re working hard within our organization to continue to grow and change to be the very best we can be for all of you.

8 years ago this month we opened our doors. We wanted to share our vision for Hand Crafted, Wood Fired Cuisine that reflected the season, championed our producers and the honored the spectacular Pacific NW. Many fond memories have been made with a dedicated staff, an ever-changing menu and the support of our generous patrons. We are stronger and more committed than ever to live our values through food and wine with you.

*New Service Model*

The dedicated staff at Ned Ludd is the engine that drives this fast-moving operation. To provide a fair wage for all, starting January 2nd, we will no longer include a tip line on your bill. Instead, we will add an 18% service charge to every bill. The lion's share is shared among each member of our staff, from the servers to the dishwashers. No additional tipping is expected or necessary. Thank you for your understanding the need for change in our industry which helps our kitchen and service staff receive equal compensation for the exceptional work that each of them do.

*RE-OPENING 7 DAYS A WEEK*

We are excited to announce, starting January 2nd, we will again be open 7 days a week for dinner service 5-10pm. Last Fall we needed to reset so we closed on Monday and Tuesday. We took those 2 days a week to train a new kitchen staff, restock our larder and update and improve the bones of Ned Ludd. Today, we truly believe our long dedicated luddites and our new family members make up the best team we've ever had. Every one of us are committed to what the Pacific Northwest has to offer in food, wine, service and experience and we are excited to share that with all of you every night of the week! (Starts January 2nd).

The coming year will require change and evolution that extends far beyond our walls. The affects of our changing industry, changing policy, market shifts and a growing global economy is forcing welcome change. We embrace the change and we hope you'll embrace it with us!

Throughout Eastern Europe, the tradition is to feast on a suckling pig on New Years Eve to bring good luck to your family for the coming year. This New Year's Eve we'll embrace this long honored tradition and bring you an inspired Eastern European Tasting Menu. Optional wine pairings will be available featuring multiple celebratory sparkling varieties. We'll feature freshly roasted suckling pig, hearty goose, delicious vegetable and salads and a weather ready soup! Participate in the entire menu experience or order any dish ala carte. Our delicious, nightly Ned Ludd Winter menu will also be available.

Bringing people together is what we love to do and our iconic Beckel Canvas tent is as special as they come. Whether you are planning an intimate gathering or a lively party with dozens of guests, we've got you covered in our cozy, customizable space.

Our heated, water-proof tent seats up to 24 guests comfortably. We sweat the details from the tablescape to the floral arrangements. Mood-setting string lights and warm woolen blankets add to the festive atmosphere. It's not just about throwing a party. We help you create a warm, inviting space that transports your guests.

Our favorite part of any social occasion? The food and drink, of course! Communal seating makes it easy to share our lovingly created, Northwest-inspired foods and makes it easy to share stories. We offer full bar service and we can work with you to create a specialty cocktail to wow your guests.

Whatever you have in mind, we can help design a truly memorable party. Get in touch for more details on reserving our tent. We promise it will be a gathering unlike any other.